Chapter Sixteen: He Came to Confess

Celebration Banquet Day.

I received a call from Mrs. Zhou and had to visit the Zhou residence, but I didn’t see Zhou Chenyan or Zhou Zhizi. Mrs. Zhou gently patted my hand.

“Zhizi called him away early this morning. They’ll both appear together at today’s banquet.”

She was hinting, hoping I would do something to stop those two.

I lowered my eyes obediently.

“Then I’ll go prepare.”

As I left, I could feel Mrs. Zhou’s gaze on me.

Unfortunately, I no longer intended to be her pawn.

That evening, outside the villa, I met Qian Yushu. Today he was dressed differently, radiant and confident—completely unlike the impoverished student I first met.

But once he spoke, the old nervousness returned.

“I... I’m a little nervous... Zhou didn’t invite me. If I just show up like this, will she be upset?”

“If you want to win the beauty’s heart, you must be braver. As a man, you need to be more proactive.”

He took a deep breath after my words, his expression growing resolute.

“I understand. I’ll do my best!”

I linked my arm with his. His body stiffened, but I didn’t look at him, simply patting his arm gently.

“Relax. This is a form of etiquette.”

If possible, I wanted to keep my distance.

My feelings toward him were complicated, but my hatred outweighed any kindness. Although in this life he hadn’t done anything yet, in the last life he was the executioner who helped Zhizi ruin my life.

The Zhou family placed great importance on the banquet. Besides relatives, many guests were invited—business associates of the Zhou family.

As soon as I entered, I sensed a piercing gaze.

It was Zhou Chenyan.

I ignored him and whispered, “Stay by my side later. I’ll remind you at the right moment. Be prepared and don’t forget your lines.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Qian Yushu was still nervous. Holding his arm felt less like holding a limb and more like holding a wooden plank.

Zhou Chenyan and Zhou Zhizi stood together—talented and beautiful, looking more like a couple than siblings.

Meanwhile, Qian Yushu and I stood together.

A typical younger man at my side.

This strange scene drew many curious glances from the guests.

Mrs. Zhou asked me, “Who is this?”

I released Qian Yushu’s hand and leaned toward her.

“He’s Zhizi’s suitor.”

Mrs. Zhou’s previously sharp gaze softened immediately.

“He seems like a good young man.”

Mrs. Zhou used to dote on Zhizi, but after learning about the secret feelings between Zhizi and Chenyan, her attitude changed dramatically.

She was eager for Zhizi to marry soon or at least find a boyfriend to quash Chenyan’s hopes.

“This is Zhizi’s mother,” I introduced to Qian Yushu.

He hurriedly greeted her, “Hello, Auntie. I’m Qian Yushu, Zhou’s classmate...”

“All right, all right. Thank you for coming to Zhizi’s banquet today. Don’t just stand at the door—come on in.”

Qian Yushu smiled foolishly, seemingly satisfied with Mrs. Zhou’s praise alone.

The three of us chatted happily, but soon Zhou Chenyan strode over, glaring at me and Qian Yushu.

“Why did you bring him here?”

I smiled without answering.

Mrs. Zhou interjected, “How rude! What’s with this attitude? Guests are guests.”

Zhou Chenyan pressed his lips, his face tense.

But he wouldn’t truly defy Mrs. Zhou, which was why I introduced Qian Yushu to her in the first place.

“Come here.”

Zhou Chenyan’s commanding tone.

I was too lazy to respond. I still had things to remind Qian Yushu about, but Mrs. Zhou, who had been my ally moments ago, now switched sides.

She pushed me toward Zhou Chenyan.

He forcibly took my hand, placing it in his crook, flashing a slight smile to the passing guests. His voice was full of warning.

“Watch yourself. Bringing another man in and out together—is that your plan to make Zhou family a laughingstock?”

“You’re overthinking. He’s not my type.”

His expression softened slightly.

I added, “Even if he were, it’s none of your business. We’re getting a divorce anyway.”

“Dream on,” he said decisively. “Divorce is impossible.”

“You’ll agree eventually.”

His heart belonged to Zhizi. His tolerance for our marriage was dwindling and would one day reach zero.

Then, I would be free.

Just thinking of that day made the man beside me seem less unbearable—sweetness after bitterness.

He scoffed, “Impossible. I won’t...”

His voice cut off abruptly.

Ahead, Zhou Zhizi was being harassed by a man. She appeared drunk, swaying unsteadily.

The man beside her immediately left.

My hand was pulled away.

This wasn’t the first time I’d watched him rush toward Zhizi’s retreating figure—from initial disbelief, heartache, grievance, and despair...

Now, just calmness.

In the previous life, it was the same: Zhizi got drunk and was harassed by a man; Chenyan came to her rescue, and Zhizi clung to him.

Chenyan took her to the VIP room to rest.

Then my mother-in-law found me to call Chenyan.

The nightmare had begun.

But this time, things were different.

I found Qian Yushu. He looked around in confusion, then brightened when he saw me.

“Sister Mu, is it time?”

“Yes.”

I glanced toward the VIP room.

“Open that door, and you’ll see your beloved. Go in and confess—remember to be sincere.”

“Thank you, Sister Mu. I won’t disappoint you!”

Qian Yushu adjusted his collar and marched confidently toward the lounge.

Watching his back, I smiled softly.

To avoid any future entanglements, I decided to find another witness to prove that everything this time had nothing to do with me.

I spotted Mrs. Zhou not far away.

Suddenly, a voice came.

“Why are you here alone?”

I turned in surprise and saw Zhou Chenyan.

“Why are you out here?”

Had the confession ended?

Qian Yushu saw them kissing and said nothing?

Wasn’t he shocked?

Zhou Chenyan frowned, looking at me.

“You seem surprised that I’m here.”

I opened my mouth but said nothing.

The unexpected turn left my mind in chaos.

Chenyan misunderstood, thinking I was guilty, and warned through gritted teeth:

“Don’t think you can fool around with other men when I’m not around. I’ll be watching you the whole time.”

“Why watch me? I’m not the one being confessed to.”

“What do you mean?”

“Qian Yushu likes Zhizi. He’s very stubborn. I told him Zhizi has someone she likes, but he didn’t believe me and said he wanted to confess to Zhizi.”

I glanced at the VIP room door, which was completely silent.

“They’re probably confessing now.”

The man beside me looked calm, far from the anger I expected.

This wasn’t right.

Shouldn’t he have stormed into the VIP room, dragged Qian Yushu out, and claimed Zhizi himself?

Why was he so composed?

“So this is why you brought him to the banquet,” Zhou Chenyan’s expression suddenly brightened, as if he understood everything and felt an inexplicable joy.